Bethlehem's Christmas Tree Lighting Lights Up Once Again Since the Start of the Gaza War

For two years amid the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were cancelled in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This place is where Christians believe Jesus was born.

However, after a recent truce, this sacred city decided that now celebrations would return, as symbolised by the lighting of its traditional, giant Christmas tree in front of the historic Nativity Church.

"It's been a bad two years without celebration; no Christmas, no jobs, no work," states Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to nothing."

The mayor acknowledges that the idea of resuming celebrations was not without debate, as suffering continues in Gaza – which affects those in its small Christian population, many of whom have relatives to Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it's not appropriate while others contend it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to take since Christmas must never be halted or abandoned. This represents the light of hope for us."

A Spark of Celebration Returns

Locals – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies in front of the tree decorated with red and gold baubles at Manger Square. They are accompanied by a handful of foreign tourists.

Brightly coloured lights now decorate the streets and there are signs advertising Christmas bazaars and children's parties.

"We are delighted to have the tree, first thing, and to see foreigners to Bethlehem and to be able to celebrate Christmas in its true spirit," comments local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This is where everything began, therefore here is where we can convey a message to the world of what Christmas truly should be about. And this year, if the season is calm, then I hope it will bring a nice message for the entire world."

Economic Prospects and Challenges

Nearby towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light holiday trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have remained mostly vacant for two years – have an influx in reservations from Arab citizens of Israel along with certain international tourists.

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "In my view every person should visit at minimum one time in their life," she states.

"I hope many visitors will return soon because it's sad with few tourists. The only thing that's good is that you don't have long lines – one can visit and experience more. On my prior visit it was necessary to wait in a queue for a few hours at least."

Currently, the souvenir stores dotted around the city experience scant trade, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which date back to the 4th century, tour guides largely stand idle. Before the conflict, it was typically packed with visitors.

"This is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no livelihood," laments a guide named Hamza. "We hope to see individuals coming back as in the past: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin American and all over. We begin with the Christmas tree lighting, and then we will wait."

The Lingering Economic Impact

In the past two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Following the deadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel during October 2023 which triggered the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements to work.

Meanwhile, government employees have been paid only partial wages from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers parts of the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – to the tune of $1.76 billion, as reported by a UN agency.

Israel says it is holding these funds because the PA makes payments to incarcerated Palestinians that encourage attacks on Israelis. The PA – which has been under global pressure to make reforms – claims it has lately modified its welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

The bleak economic outlook implies that for many Christian Palestinians, despite the fact that there are currently public festivities as well as religious ceremonies, it will constitute an austere Christmas.

On the periphery of Manger Square, a few customers wait to purchase sizzling balls of falafel from several shops.

"We're preparing for Christmas after one of our most challenging times as a Palestinian people and as a Christian community," states one restaurant owner, an owner of a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He notes lately numerous families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"Christians will try to celebrate but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "Someone who wants to take his kids to a festive event or the theatre or whatever, he doesn't have the funds to spend for this celebration."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

Within the grotto beneath the Nativity Church, a local woman accompanies a small Indian tour group, bending down near a silver star which marks the location where tradition states Jesus was born and lighting a candle nearby.

Amid ongoing high tensions across the region, Bethlehem residents state they are praying for tranquility – and hoping for tourists to come back to the location where it is believed where Christmas started.